Special Service Areas Subject of Illinois House Hearing

July 13, 2015

BOMA/Chicago's Director of Government Affairs, Ron Tabaczynski, recently appeared before the Illinois General Assembly's House Revenue Committee to testify at a subject matter hearing on Special Service Areas (SSAs).

Ron spoke about some major concerns BOMA/Chicago members have with SSAs, including:

• Scope of Service - defining baseline versus special services
• Governance and Formation - empowering property owners with governance representation
• Assessment Method - ensuring financial contribution is commensurate with services received

Ron also provided additional information about an alternative and more flexible model known as a Business Improvement District (BID). A BID is a voluntary partnership and private sector initiative to manage and improve the environment of a business district with services financed by a self-imposed and self-governed assessment.

With 53 SSAs currently active in Chicago, this is a policy area that impacts many BOMA/Chicago members. Read Ron's testimony.